A feature story recently published in The Weekly Standard magazine focused on a study conducted by Government Professor Philip Klinkner and Visiting Instructor of Government Richard Skinner '92. Their study, "Black, White, Brown and Cajun: The Racial Dynamics of the 2003 Louisiana Gubernatorial Election," suggested bias and unexpected support from the so-called "David Duke vote" were decisive in Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco's victory over Bobby Jindal.
The article notes that while Blanco did not make any racial appeals in the campaign, "she benefited enormously form race-influenced voting. The study has gotten some, but not extensive, media attention in Louisiana. [Jindal] is now running for the House seat being vacated by Republican David Vitter, who is running for the senate. One poll shows Jindal with a large lead in the House contest."
